"I…" Cecilia's voice trembled uncontrollably, like a leaf caught in the wind.
She wanted to explain, to justify herself, but no words came out.
The dagger in her hand felt unbearably cold and heavy, as if it were a searing brand, burning into her palm.
Cassiel slowly sat up from the bed. His movements were unhurried, light—like a graceful predator watching its prey.
His gaze shifted from confusion to disappointment, then to icy indifference, before finally settling on something… unreadable. Amused, even.
"You were going to kill me?" he asked, his voice soft, almost casual, as if making conversation with an old friend.
But Cecilia sensed the danger beneath his words.
She did not answer. She merely gripped the dagger tighter, her body trembling slightly.
Cassiel studied her, the corner of his lips curving into a mocking smile.
"You?" he scoffed. "You think you can kill me?"
Cecilia's face turned deathly pale.
She knew he was right.
She, a weak, powerless woman—how could she possibly kill the formidable vampire prince?
Her attempt had been nothing short of suicidal.
"I…" She tried to speak again, but her voice caught in her throat.
Cassiel rose from the bed, stepping toward her.
His pace was slow, deliberate. Each step felt like it was pressing down on her chest, making it harder to breathe.
"You're scared?" He stopped just in front of her, tilting his head slightly as he looked down at her. Amusement flickered in his eyes. "What are you afraid of? That I'll kill you?"
Cecilia's trembling worsened.
She squeezed her eyes shut, unwilling to meet his gaze.
She knew she was utterly exposed.
What awaited her now was Cassiel's wrath—and her own death.
"Cecilia…"
Cassiel suddenly reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek.
His touch was cold, like ice, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Look at me." His command was soft, yet laced with undeniable authority.
She had no choice.
She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze.
His eyes were like twin black abysses—deep, unreadable, as if they could consume her very soul.
A wave of dizziness and fear crashed over her. It felt as though she were plummeting into a bottomless void.
"Why did you try to kill me?" Cassiel asked, his voice still gentle, as if the question didn't really matter.
Cecilia's lips quivered, but she said nothing.
She didn't know how to answer.
She couldn't tell him the truth—that she wanted to kill him so she could be free.
Because she knew Cassiel would never let her go.
"You don't have to answer." His voice remained calm, unreadable. "I already know."
Cecilia froze.
"You hate me, don't you?" Cassiel continued. "You hate that I've imprisoned you. That I've taken away your freedom."
Her entire body stiffened.
She hadn't expected him to say it out loud.
"You want to escape," Cassiel murmured, his voice almost tender. "You want to return to your world, to your family."
Cecilia's eyes welled with tears.
She didn't speak. She only nodded.
Cassiel's expression turned cold. "Do you really think you can escape me?"
Despair clawed at Cecilia's chest.
She knew he was right.
She would never escape him.
She was his prisoner, completely and utterly trapped.
"I…" Her voice broke.
Cassiel cut her off.
"Don't waste your breath, Cecilia." His voice was like ice. "You'll never leave."
With a swift motion, he wrenched the dagger from her grasp and flung it to the ground.
The sharp clang of metal against the floor echoed in the silence, unbearably loud.
Cecilia's legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed onto the cold floor.
She shut her eyes, bracing for the end.
But the pain never came.
Instead, she heard the soft sound of retreating footsteps.
Then—the door clicked shut.
Cassiel had left.
He didn't kill her.
Cecilia slowly opened her eyes, staring at the empty room, confusion swirling in her mind.
Why had he let her go?
He could have killed her so easily.
And yet…
Could it be that he—
A strange emotion flickered inside her, complex and unsettling.
She didn't understand it.
And she didn't want to.
All she wanted was to escape.
To flee this dark prison.
To flee Cassiel.
She curled up on the bed, shutting her eyes.
And then, an image surfaced in her mind.
A boy.
A memory.
It was a bright afternoon. She and Raven had been playing in the forest outside Lockwood Manor. Raven was a few years older than her, the son of a hunter. He often took her on adventures, teaching her about plants, animals, and even how to use a bow.
"Cecilia, do you know?" Raven had whispered to her that day. "There are dangerous things in this world… like vampires."
"Vampires?" Cecilia had blinked at him in curiosity. "What's that?"
"They're creatures of the night," Raven had said in a hushed voice. "They feed on human blood."
She had giggled. "That's silly, Raven. Vampires aren't real."
But Raven had shaken his head. "No, Cecilia. They're real. My father is a vampire hunter. He told me that vampires are among us, hiding, waiting."
"So be careful," he had warned. "Never fall into their hands."
Cecilia's eyes snapped open.
Raven…
Was he really a vampire hunter?
Would he come for her?
The universe had a strange way of answering desperate prayers.
Just then, a faint tapping came from the window.
Her heart nearly stopped.
She turned toward the sound—
And there he was.
Raven.
Standing on a tree branch outside, lightly rapping on the glass.
His face was tense with worry.
Hope flared in Cecilia's chest.
She stumbled to the window, flinging it open.
"Are you alright?" Raven asked urgently.
Cecilia shook her head, tears spilling over.
"I… I failed," she choked out. "I couldn't kill him."
"I know," Raven said softly. "I saw."
He had been watching from the shadows.
He had seen her hesitation, her struggle, her failure.
"I'm sorry…" Cecilia lowered her head, shame washing over her.
She had disappointed him.
"It's not your fault." Raven's voice was gentle.
He reached out, brushing his fingers against her hair.
His touch was warm, steady—reassuring.
"I'll get you out of here," he promised. "I swear it."
Cecilia met his eyes, gratitude and trust shining in hers.
"Thank you…" she whispered.
But there was no time for words.
"We have to move." Raven grasped her hand. "Now."
He pulled her toward the window, ready to flee.
But before they could—
A cold, deadly voice cut through the air.
"Leaving so soon?"
Cecilia and Raven froze.
Slowly, they turned toward the door.
Cassiel stood there.
A knowing smirk on his lips.
His eyes, however, burned with lethal intent.